Mexico's inspiring run through the FIFA World Cup came to an end with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to England at Estadio Azteca, as El Tri was unable to complete a rally from a two-goal deficit despite playing against a 10-man side.
Still, Mexico had a successful World Cup, with clean sheets in its first four matches, all wins, that made them the only side in the 48-team field to accomplish that.
Gilberto Mora didn't score, but the 17-year-old played well enough to justify his status as the franchise's future face.
Mexico soccer
The Mexican soccer team won Group A with three shutout wins, then shut out Ecuador to start the Round of 32. At that point, Mexico was the only team at the World Cup with four wins and four clean sheets in its first four games.
It then conceded three goals in a 3-2 loss to England that eliminated them from the World Cup.
Who did Mexico lose to in the World Cup 2026?
Mexico did not win. England defeated Mexico 3-2.
Is Mexico still in the World Cup?
The Mexican National Team has been eliminated from the World Cup after a Round of 16 loss to England at Estadio Azteca. That was also the final game of this World Cup, played in Mexico.
Gilberto Mora
The 17-year-old Gilberto Mora was the youngest player at this World Cup and the youngest player in Mexican history. When he started against Ecuador in the Round of 32, he became the second-youngest player to start a World Cup knockout game, after only Pele.
In this World Cup, he appeared in all five matches and played well enough to earn three consecutive starts.
Mora came up through Tijuana's system as an attacking midfielder and joined their senior club in 2024. He has made 50 appearances and scored eight goals for the Xolos.
He began playing for Mexican age-group national teams in 2022 with the U15s. He made his senior club debut in a friendly in January 2025, making him, at 16, the youngest player in national team history. His first meaningful matches came in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
He is the son of former professional player Gilberto Mora, who is now the U17 and academy coach for Tijuana.
Mexico soccer fans
Mexican soccer fans have a reputation for being some of the loudest and most passionate in the world. They made news in this World Cup by locating the team hotels for England and Ecuador and attempting to keep those teams awake the night before their matches by staging noisy demonstrations outside.
Mexico national football team players
The roster for Mexico's 2026 FIFA World Cup team.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
Source: El Paso Times
